Page 5 of Dark Thirst (The Scandalous Novellas)

L ast night was a blur. My buddy, Brad, invited me out for drinks and I don’t even remember how I got home.

Now my mouth is dry and my head is pounding as I lay in bed trying to wake up.

I have to go to my aunt’s house later today for that stupid party, so I decide it’s time to get up and go to the gym.

It always helps clear my head and get me going for the day.

I groan as I get up and stretch. I’m still wearing the same jeans I went out in, but I must have taken off my shirt before I got into bed. A shower sounds good before I go since I smell like booze and it’s turning my stomach.

After my shower, I put on a t-shirt and shorts, then mix some pre-workout.

The caffeine in it will help wake me up.

I need all the extra help this morning. I’m still surprised that I got so drunk last night; but honestly, since Anna and I broke up, it’s becoming more of a habit for me.

I need to stop. It’s getting harder and harder to go to work after a night of drinking and it’s affecting my gym routine.

I decide to walk to the gym this morning, letting it serve as my warm-up.

It’s only a few blocks away, and on my way, I notice a new message from my newest follower—the one that lives in Chicago and likes the Anubis mask.

I don’t see her as one of my top-tier subscribers, so I decide to send her a little gift— a video I’ve never posted before of me fucking my fist in the shower.

No harm in sending out a video or picture to someone every once in a while. Plus, she lives in the city, so maybe we can meet up sometime.

As I enter the gym, I put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’.

It’s warm in here already, and the music is entirely too loud.

A headache sets in, but I’m already here.

Setting my bag down and putting my earbuds in, I load up my workout music for the morning and turn on a Sleep Token playlist to get started.

The morning went by pretty quick after my workout.

I came back home to shower again and clean up the apartment a bit.

My dad told me to be at my aunt’s at three, so I made it there a bit after.

Most of the family must already be here because the driveway is packed.

I’m forced to find parking at the end of the block and walk up to the house.

I assume Michelle is going to be here since it’s spring break at her school. I’m looking forward to seeing her again. Looking at my phone, I’m disappointed my newest follower didn’t respond to my video. But when I look closer, I see she hasn’t even looked at it yet. Must be busy.

As I approach the house, I hear talking and laughter coming from the backyard. The day is sunny, and surprisingly, in the low 70s so it’s the perfect weather for an outdoor barbecue.

Instead of knocking on the front door, I make my way down the gangway and use the gate to enter the backyard. Yup, the party is already in full swing out here. I notice my other aunts, uncles, and step-cousins are already laughing, eating, and drinking.

My dad and step-mom notice me first and come over to greet me as I stand in the corner of the yard surveying the scene before me.

“Sean, it’s good to see you again,” my dad says, giving me a big hug. My step-mom gives me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

“You hungry?” She asks.

“Yeah, I could eat. But, uh, I’ll say hello to everyone first.” They both nod and show me where the drinks and food are before they walk away to talk to someone else. It’s mostly family, but there are a few people I’m not familiar with here.

I make my way around the few tables in the yard and say my ‘hellos’ with a hug, and introduce myself to the few people that I haven’t met yet.

Before I could even turn around to go inside the house, I bump into someone.

Michelle. She stands at least a foot shorter than me with light brown hair and green eyes with flecks of gold that are rimmed by red and black glasses.

Her eyes grow as wide as dinner plates when she sees me, which makes me smile.

“Hey, Michelle.” I bend down to give her a big hug, placing my hand on her lower back. “It’s nice to see you again,” I whisper in her ear. I feel her tense, but she wraps her arms around me tight.

“Good to see you too Sean,” she breathes.

I notice a nose ring I haven’t seen before and comment while gently touching her face, “This must be new.”

Her cheeks flush, and she smiles while touching my hand that’s holding her chin up.

“Yeah, I got it last year. I guess it’s been a while since we last saw each other.

” I love how shy she is around me. I’ve never noticed any ink on her, but I think she would look so hot with a few pieces.

I let her go before I do anything stupid in front of the family.

Shit, why am I feeling this way? She’s my step-cousin. It’s wrong to think she’s pretty or to want to see more of her. My head is all screwed up, but she doesn’t seem uncomfortable with my touch or presence.

“Michelle! We need more ice!” I hear my aunt Marta yell out from the kitchen. Michelle rolls her eyes and yells back, “Ok! I’ll run to the store again!”

“I can come along with you,” I offer with a shrug.

“Oh! Yeah, sure, that would be nice. Thanks, Sean.” I nod my head in response and head toward the house.

“Hey, Aunt Marta. Need anything else from the store? I’m driving Michelle. Your cars are all blocked in.”

“Sean! Oh, how nice of you to make it!” She rushes over to give me a tight hug. “Thank you, hun. I think just a few more bags of ice should do it! Your tios want to make some mixed drinks, and I used all the ice for the coolers,” she laughs.

“No problem.” Michelle is behind me, and I walk through the house and out the front door with her close behind.

“My car is just down the block.” I motion to my black Mustang sitting in the corner. Looking over at her, I wink. I don’t know why I did that, but she giggles, and it warms my heart. I open the passenger door for her to get in, and she slides in before I close the door again.

As I get in, I notice a faint vanilla smell in the car. Must be her perfume. It smells so good. Of course, she would smell sweet. “Nice car,” she says.

“Thanks. Got it last year. It had an electrical failure and the previous owner couldn’t afford it, so I bought it off him.”

“Do you still work at the shop?”

“Yeah, I still do. 5 or 6 days a week, usually.”

“Wow, that’s a lot.” She seems surprised.

“Well, rent is expensive out here, so I need to make sure I can afford my apartment and this car,” I laugh.

“Oh, you don’t live with your dad anymore?”

“Nah, I moved out two years ago. Definitely don’t want to move back. Which store did you want to go to?”

“Oh! Um, the liquor store on the corner of Cumberland is fine.” She shrugs.

“So, how’s school going? Almost done, no?” We get stopped by a freight train, which is good. More time to talk alone.

“Damn, I always get caught by this train. Yeah, this is my last semester. I mean, I’ve already finished all the classes I need, so this last bit is just some extra credits to finish out my minor.”

“Mmm, smart girl,” I mutter.

She laughs again and shakes her head, “No, not really. I just went into something I’m already really good at, so school came easy.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling. So, what do you like to do for fun?”

She sighs, “Ugh, nothing really. I mean, come on, Sean, I’m a huge nerd.”

“Nerds can still have fun.” I look over and smile at her. “Don’t sell yourself short, Michelle.”

She bites her bottom lip. “Thanks. What about you? Seeing anyone?”

I turn to look straight ahead, and am thankful the liquor store is just down the street. “No, Anna and I broke up a few months ago. Not really looking to date again for a while.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she whispers.

Pulling into the parking lot, I turn to her again and ask before getting out of the car, “Three bags of ice, right?”

She smiles and nods yes. I figure I’ll hop out and grab the bags, but am surprised when I hear a second car door slam and watch her follow me to the entrance.

I hold the door open for her and check out her ass as she walks in front of me.

She’s shorter than Anna, but she’s got a cute ass, and her tits aren’t fake like Anna’s were.

I never used to notice shorter, nerdy girls, but I am definitely attracted to Michelle.

I grab the ice, pay, and we head back to my car without a word. Michelle is the first to break the silence. “We should keep in touch more often.” She sounded hesitant as she said it.

I smile and say, “Yeah, I’d really like that. How long are you in town for?”

“Just for the week. I leave again next Friday morning. Taking the train back down to Champaign.”

As I pull onto my aunt’s street and find another parking spot, I respond, “Well, maybe we should get together before you leave again.”

Her eyes light up. “For sure! It would be nice to get out of the house for a bit.”

We bring the ice inside, and there’s even more people in the house now. I immediately notice Michelle staring at someone I instantly recognize. Corey, the ex-boyfriend that cheated on her. She looks upset.

“Hey, you ok?” I put my hand on her back, and she breaks eye contact with him to look at me with tears in her eyes. She quickly nods and walks toward the bathroom. I’m annoyed now. I bet my aunt Marta invited him.

Ever since they broke up, she’s been trying to get them back together. I don’t know why because from what I’d seen, he treated her like shit.

I sigh and go back outside to grab some food and a drink, all while watching Corey. My uncle is a skilled cook, so I’ll at least enjoy some free food while I’m here. After I eat, I text Michelle and let her know I’ll be leaving soon and to call if she needs anything.

I make my rounds again, saying goodbye to everyone and thanking my uncle for the food. He insists I take some food home and I don’t decline the offer. While I wait for him to make me another plate, I go inside in hopes I can say goodbye to Michelle in person, but I don’t see her.

I say goodbye to my aunt Marta, grab my plate, and head home. I don’t notice the text from Michelle until after I have already left the house.

Michelle: It was nice seeing you, Sean. Let’s keep in touch. Talk soon.